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Behind The Scenes With The Zoo's Baby Elephants

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Sep 24, 2008 2:39 pm US/Eastern

Behind The Scenes With The Zoo's Baby Elephants

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The baby elephants at the Pittsburgh Zoo are a few months old now.

They're getting smarter and bigger every day.

Today, KDKA went behind the scenes to catch a glimpse of their everyday life.

The day for 3-month old Angelina and 2-month old Zuri starts with a bath and a weigh in.
 
"Zuri was born at 260 lbs. She's now at 360 lbs. Angelina was 287. She's about 460 lbs., said Willie Theison, elephant keeper at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

The baby elephants have grabbed the attention of hundreds every day.

With the addition of the baby elephants, this exhibit is one of the most popular.

It's clear, like little kids, that these little ladies are all about playing.

"They lay down, climb on each other play king of the mountain. Whoever's bigger and badder," said Theison.

And like sibling rivalry, Theison says they pick on their big brother.

"They're constantly going around big brother and Callie's got to reach over and make his little sister squeal. He and runs right away because he knows mom is going to come over and make sure sister is okay."

Theison says their progress has been phenomenal.

Angelina and Zuri's weight gain is better than expected.

They'll nurse from mom for 2 years.

Though sometimes a little wobbly, the dexterity with their trunks is four-months ahead of where they should be.

Both can pick up grain and carrots and are efficient using their trunks to drink.

Theison also says they're learning commands.

"First thing we teach them is no," said Theison.

So, Theison is pleased on how Angelina and Zuri are progressing this far.
The bull of the heard is Jackson.

He's the 11,000 pound daddy.

He's been pretty busy throughout his life time.

Jackson has fathered four babies here at the zoo and three at Disney in Orlando and he has three on the way throughout the country.

This is kind of the end of the road for him.

In about a month, Jackson is going to head down to the International Conservation Center, which is an African elephant breeding and management program in Somerset County.

But the zoo isn't done yet.

In the next 6-7 years, they'll start the process all over again.


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